Flow sensing characteristics of thin film based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) thin film was synthesized and its sensing for different flowing solutions was investigated in this paper. The voltage generated from MWNTs thin film was in sublinear fashion and a new discovery in this paper is that the charge-to-mass ratio (q/m) of the ions is an important factor. The results were inconsistent with the conventional idea that a streaming potential is the efficient factor. New mechanism has been discussed about their effects on the charge of MWNTs and the sublinear response based on a pulsating ratchet model. This result would be indicative in nanoscale sensors, detectors and power cells.